These air fryer Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings are crispy, easy to make, and perfect for keto and low-carb diets-no marinating required. With a quick homemade cilantro lime aioli sauce, you'll have restaurant-quality wings ready in under 30 minutes, whether you're using an air fryer or oven.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings
🕒 Ready In: 20 minutes
👪 Serves: 3 servings
🍽 Calories: 325 | Protein: 22g | Carbs: 3g | Sugar: 2g
🥣 Main Ingredients: chicken wings, cilantro, limes
📖 Dietary Info: low carb, gluten free, high protein
👌 Difficulty: Easy
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I used to order wings from Buffalo Wild Wings, but honestly, these homemade cilantro lime chicken wings taste better and cost way less. The secret is the crispy exterior (thanks to baking powder) combined with a zesty cilantro lime aioli that has serious flavor. Plus, each wing has less than 1g net carbs, making them perfect for keto, low-carb, and diabetes-friendly meals. You might also enjoy these Tajin keto Chicken Wings.
We start by seasoning the wings and cooking them until golden and crispy in the air fryer or oven, then toss them in a delicious, sugar-free cilantro lime aioli that doubles as a dip for veggies. If you only have chicken thighs on hand, my Low Carb Sheet Pan Chicken might be a great alternative.
Jump To:
- A Quick Look at the Recipe
- What you'll love about this cilantro lime chicken wings recipe
- Ingredient notes
- Step by step instructions
- How to make cilantro lime chicken wings?
- Recipe Tips for Perfect Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings
- The Secret Ingredient: Homemade Cilantro Lime Aioli
- Ways to use the cilantro lime sauce
- Storage
- 💭 Frequently asked questions
- More low carb appetizer recipes
- More low carb recipes you may like
- Recipe Card
What you'll love about this cilantro lime chicken wings recipe
- Ten Minute Prep: Pat dry, season, and go. No marinating or waiting around.
- Five Ingredient Cilantro Lime Aioli: Just sour cream, mayo, cilantro, lime, and garlic. This simple sauce packs serious flavor and doubles as a dip for veggies or topping for cauliflower rice.
- Restaurant-Quality Results at Home: These taste like Buffalo Wild Wings quality but cost a fraction of the price.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Cook once, eat all week. Season and refrigerate wings up to 24 hours ahead, cook them, and store in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
- 1g Net Carbs Per Wing: Perfect for keto, low-carb, and diabetes-friendly diets. Sugar-free aioli means you can indulge without guilt.
- Air Fryer OR Oven: Oven instructions are included with the same crispy results. Both methods work great, so cook whichever way you prefer.
Ingredient notes
- Cilantro: this green leafy herb has a warm, spicy and nutty flavour that gives these wings a special tangy citrus flavour.
- Lime: adding that tart and acidity with a little sweetness to these wings.
- Paprika: made from bright, sweet red peppers, with a slight fruity a bitter taste.
- Baking Powder: dries out the skin and makes them extra crispy and crunchy.
Step by step instructions
How to make cilantro lime chicken wings?
STEP 1: Pat the chicken wings dry between paper towels, get them as dry as you can.
STEP 2: Place the wings in a large bowl and sprinkle with salt, pepper, paprika and baking powder
STEP 3: Place in preheated air fryer at 400 F and air fry for 8-10 minutes, then flip and fry for another 2 minutes or until preferred crispiness. If baking in the oven, place wings on parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350 F for 20 minutes, then crank up the heat to 425 F for another 20 minutes, flip and bake for another 5 minutes or until preferred crispiness.
STEP 4: Make the cilantro lime aioli by blending the sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic clove, cilantro, olive oil, lime zest and juice plus salt and pepper in a blender for 20 seconds, mix and blend for another 20 seconds
STEP 5: When wings are ready toss them with 1 cup of the cilantro lime aioli in a bowl (reserve the remaining sauce for dipping veggies or on top of a cauliflower rice).
STEP 6: Garnish with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
Recipe Tips for Perfect Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings
Pat Wings Super Dry: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Use paper towels and really dry those wings.
Don't Skip the Baking Powder: It's not a mistake; baking powder is your secret weapon for extra crispy wings.
Season Generously Before Cooking: Don't be shy with salt and paprika on the raw wings.
Air Fryer vs. Oven? Air fryer wings cook faster (8-10 min) and use less oil. Oven wings take longer (45 min total) but work just as well. Choose based on your time and equipment.
Frozen Wings? Yes, but add 5 extra minutes to air fryer time or 10 minutes to oven time. Don't thaw; cook straight from frozen for best results.
The Secret Ingredient: Homemade Cilantro Lime Aioli
This isn't your typical buffalo or ranch wing sauce. The cilantro lime aioli sauce is what makes these wings stand out, and it's ridiculously easy to make.
Why Homemade Beats Store-Bought
- Homemade: 5 ingredients. Real cilantro. Fresh lime. Done in 40 seconds in a blender. You know exactly what's in it.
- Store-Bought: Mystery sauces loaded with added sugars, preservatives, and ingredients you can't pronounce.
- Your homemade version tastes fresher, tangier, and way more flavorful. And bonus-it's completely sugar-free.
Ways to use the cilantro lime sauce
Don't make this sauce just for wings. It's a flavor powerhouse for:
- Dipping & Snacking: Serve with raw veggies, cucumber slices, or cheese. It's the perfect low-carb party dip.
- Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle over air fryer broccoli, cauliflower, or zucchini for an instant flavor upgrade.
- Cauliflower Rice Bowl: Use it as a creamy, tangy dressing for your cauliflower rice bases.
- Burger & Sandwich Topper: Spread it on burgers, lettuce wraps, or low-carb bread for a zesty kick.
- Pro Tip: Make a double batch and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days. Use it throughout the week on proteins, salads, or as a veggie dip.
Storage
- Cooked Wings (Fridge): Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness before tossing with fresh sauce.
- Cilantro Lime Aioli (Fridge): Keep in a sealed container for 3-4 days. Flavor is strongest within the first 2 days. The fresh cilantro loses potency over time, so fresher is better.
- Wings and Sauce Together: Store separately. Pre-sauced wings get soggy quickly, even in the fridge. Toss with sauce just before eating for maximum crispiness.
- Freezing Wings: Cooked wings freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer bag or container. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the air fryer or oven.
💭 Frequently asked questions
Yes, place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350 F for 20 minutes then turn up the heat to 425 F and bake for 20 minutes, flip and bake for another 5.
If you have a small air fryer you may need to cook the wings in batches. Depending on your air fryer, cooking times may vary.
You can but cooking time will need to be increased another 5 minutes or so.
The cilantro lime aioli sauce is great as a dip or with raw or roasted veggies, topped on to a cauliflower rice or would even go great as a salad dressing. How about trying it on a burger?
Yes, each wing has less than 1g net carbs. These wings are keto, low carb and diabetes friendly as the sauce contains no sugar.
More low carb appetizer recipes
Check out these low carb appetizers, perfect for a quick bite before the main dish.
More low carb recipes you may like
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Recipe Card
Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings
RECIPE VIDEO
Ingredients
Chicken Wings
- 10 medium chicken wings
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Cilantro Lime Aioli
- 18 sprigs fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon sour cream (full fat)
- 2 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Chicken Wings
- Preheat air fryer at 400°F
- Pat chicken wings dry between two paper towels
- Place the wings in a large bowl and sprinkle with salt, pepper, paprika and baking powder
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, then flip and fry for another 2 minutes or until preferred crispiness. If baking in the oven place wings on parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350 F for 20 minutes, then crank up the heat to 425 F for another 20 minutes, flip and bake for another 5 minutes or until preferred crispiness. Toss in the cilantro lime sauce after air frying.
Cilantro Lime Aioli
- In a blender or food processor blend the sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic clove, cilantro, olive oil, lime zest and juice plus salt and pepper in a blender for 20 seconds, mix and blend for another 20 seconds
- Toss the wings in a large bowl with 1 cup of the cilantro lime aioli (reserve any remaining sauce for dipping veggies or on top of a cauliflower rice).
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
- (Refer to the video instructions if further clarification is needed)
Notes
Important Information
For more information, tips and variations please review the recipe video and content above and below the recipe card.
Updates and Revisions
If the video and recipe card differ, follow the recipe card for the latest ingredients and instructions.
Nutritional Information
Nutrition info is estimated and varies by ingredients, measurements, and portions.
Didi Savage says
I did this recipe with yogurt and it was still really good. Awesome recipe for summer with fresh cilantro and lime.
Oscar Chimenti says
Thank you ?
Addie says
I loved the cilantro lime flavoring! These wings are such a great appetizer.